WCU vs. USC Aiken

Western Carolina University and University of South Carolina Aiken side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Western Carolina University
University of South Carolina Aiken

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: USC Aiken (78.5% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: USC Aiken. Average net price is $12,236 vs $13,767 at WCU.
  • Graduation: WCU 50% vs USC Aiken 41%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WCU $39,100 vs USC Aiken $39,600 (median).
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Key differences

Western Carolina University University of South Carolina Aiken
Acceptance rate
USC Aiken more selective
WCU81.8%
USC Aiken78.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
WCU1080-1270
USC Aiken980-1220
Average net price
USC Aiken $1,531 less
WCU$13,767
USC Aiken$12,236
In-state tuition
WCU $6,130 less
WCU$4,630
USC Aiken$10,760
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $12,588 less
WCU$8,630
USC Aiken$21,218
Graduation rate
WCU +9 pts
WCU50%
USC Aiken41%
Median earnings (10 years)
USC Aiken +$500
WCU$39,100
USC Aiken$39,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WCU 19,742
  • USC Aiken 3,005
  • Admitted
  • WCU 16,154
  • USC Aiken 2,360
  • Acceptance rate
  • WCU 81.8%
  • USC Aiken 78.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WCU 12.7%
  • USC Aiken 28.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WCU 1180
  • USC Aiken 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • WCU 22
  • USC Aiken 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • WCU 3.44
  • USC Aiken 3.19
  • Typical high school grades
  • WCU B+
  • USC Aiken B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WCU Moderate
  • USC Aiken Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • WCU
  • USC Aiken
  • SAT range
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • USC Aiken 980-1220
  • ACT range
  • WCU 19-25
  • USC Aiken 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • WCU Test optional
  • USC Aiken Required
  • Application deadline
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WCU $4,630
  • USC Aiken $10,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WCU $8,630
  • USC Aiken $21,218
  • Room & board
  • WCU $12,354
  • USC Aiken $9,182
  • Average net price
  • WCU $13,767
  • USC Aiken $12,236
  • Average grant aid
  • WCU $5,993
  • USC Aiken $8,904
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WCU 81%
  • USC Aiken 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • WCU 50%
  • USC Aiken 41%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WCU $39,100
  • USC Aiken $39,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • WCU 58%
  • USC Aiken 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WCU $22,010
  • USC Aiken $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WCU $227
  • USC Aiken $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WCU 16:1
  • USC Aiken 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • USC Aiken
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • USC Aiken Aiken, SC
  • Setting
  • WCU Distant Town
  • USC Aiken Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • WCU 11,686
  • USC Aiken 4,022
  • Type
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • USC Aiken Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WCU #698
  • USC Aiken #819

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 4,022 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Western Carolina University is located in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Carolina University 16:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 25.7% lower than at Western Carolina University ($9,182 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 145.9% higher at USC Aiken than at Western Carolina University (about $12,588 more per year; $21,218 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at Western Carolina University (93% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 48.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($8,904 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WCU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at USC Aiken (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WCU, required at USC Aiken.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027; USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at USC Aiken (3.19).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at WCU vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $3,990 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($22,010 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($227 vs. $268).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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